Reality Blights

Extract

[...] Reality Blights No matter how hard a person tries, he cannot escape a world exploding with discrimination, violence, and blind hatred. The smell of death permeates the streets as wars rage and the taste of man's inhumanity lingers in the air. An idealistic individual attempts to shield himself from the evil, constructing a house adorned with beautiful stained glass windows. Why step outside when the inside appears glorious and full of light? He fails to realize that at any given moment, intruders can smash the panes and turn those brilliant colors to the darkness of night. [...]

[...] 51). Convinced that Finny hates him, Gene succumbs to his own lies that provide the validation to return Finny's supposed enmity. After the epiphany that he mirrors a monster, Gene rationalizes his feelings by purposely jouncing the limb to injure Finny. He despises Finny for exposing his own dark side and needs to hurt this “perfect” being because he cannot accept the flawed image of himself. Likewise, Leper's passive nature conflicts with the violence of war, eventually rendering him helpless to cope with his dark side. [...]

[...] As these truths remain inescapable, Brinker thrusts the reality upon Finny, taunting him with the words shocked Finny into awareness. He whirled as though being attacked from behind.” (pg. 169). A moment later, Finny trips down the stairs—the next step in a plunge culminating in death. The more the truth echoes in his head, the more Finny's grip on innocence loosens. Hearing the piercing words from someone other than Gene bursts his protective bubble. Unable to reconcile the betrayal by a friend with his own illusions, Finny spirals downward. [...]